Method for manufacturing dishwashers of different widths

ABSTRACT

A method for making a dishwasher includes providing a wash chamber receivable in a housing. The wash chamber includes a left side part capable of having a first functional component disposed thereon, a right side part capable of having second functional component disposed thereon, and a first middle part disposed between the left and right side parts and capable of having a spray device disposed thereon. At least one intermediate part is disposed between the first middle part and at least one of the left and right side parts so as to provide a dishwasher having a desired width.

Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 10 2005 055 775.9, filed Nov. 21, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing dishwashers of different widths, especially ones of a drawer-type construction, including housings which accommodate a washing tub having at least one spray means, the washing tub having mounted thereon different functional components, such as water inlet, appliance control system, and water softening system.

BACKGROUND

There are dishwasher manufacturing methods in which the interior is manufactured using a one-piece mold which is capable of producing one particular width of a dishwasher. The dishwasher has various functional elements in the wall area, said functional elements then being mountable on the washing tub. The known machines have the disadvantage of being relatively expensive due to the adaptation to one particular width of a dishwasher. This is because, in practice, dishwashers are generally available in widths of 45, 60 and 90 cm. Therefore, a plurality of molds must be provided for the different widths.

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method which is suitable for manufacturing dishwashers of different widths and in which the same molds can be used for different appliance models.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for making a dishwasher including providing a wash chamber receivable in a housing. The wash chamber includes a left side part capable of having a first functional component disposed thereon, a right side part capable of having second functional component disposed thereon, and a first middle part disposed between the left and right side parts and capable of having a spray device disposed thereon. At least one intermediate part is disposed between the first middle part and at least one of the left and right side parts so as to provide a dishwasher having a desired width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematic top views of a mold for manufacturing dishwashers of different widths; and

FIG. 2 shows schematic front views of the molds of FIGS. 1 a-1 c for manufacturing dishwashers of different widths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present invention, the wash chambers of the dishwashers, regardless of their width, have a first left side part carrying functional components, a second right side part carrying functional components, and at least one middle part including the spray means; the left side part, the right side part and the middle part(s) being of the same design, respectively, in each dishwasher regardless of its width. In order to manufacture a dishwasher having a greater width, one or more intermediate parts are inserted between the middle part(s) and the left and right side parts. This reduces the cost of manufacturing the dishwashers and results in higher mold utilization.

In order to manufacture the interior, it is preferred for the middle part, side parts and intermediates parts to have the same depth. This ensures that the mold allows for manufacturing of a substantially cuboid-shaped washing tub.

The middle part and the side parts may each have functional elements mounted thereon, the mold already being provided with suitable shapes for purposes of mounting the respective functional elements. In addition to the spray arm support, these functional elements include, for example, a sump, one or more screens, a dispensing device, a control system, a water outlet, a water inlet, a power supply, a drying system, a salt container, a resin container, and other functional elements. It is also advantageous if the side parts are each provided with holding means for a runner of a pull-out guide assembly.

A washing tub 1 a for dishwashers includes a middle part 2 with an axis 3 at one wall element, a spray arm being mountable at axis 3. Also shown schematically is a screen 4 which is part of a fluid circuit. A suitable seat for a screen 4 is made on the wall section in the washing tub. At the sides of middle part 2, there are provided a left side part 5 and a right side part 6 which are joined to middle part 2 and are designed in such a manner that they can be used in mounting of the washing tub of dishwashers having a width of, for example, 45 cm. Circle 7 schematically indicates the radius of a spray arm.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of washing tub 1 b for cases where the intention is to produce a somewhat wider dishwasher, for example, one having a width of 60 cm. Middle part 2, including the seat 4 for a screen and axis 3, is still centrally disposed, and side parts 5 and 6 are also used, but an intermediate part 8 is provided between the middle part and side parts 5 and 6, respectively. In this manner, the width of the dishwasher is increased while maintaining the depth. Circle 70 schematically indicates the radius of rotation of a spray arm that is suitable for the wider dishwasher design.

In FIG. 1, washing tub 1 c is configured even larger in width, while the depth remains the same compared to the two preceding configurations. In the case of the widest configuration, two middle parts 2 are provided, each having an axis 3 for a spray arm, the radius of rotation of the spray arm being schematically indicated by lines 7. Furthermore, a seat 4 for a screen is formed on each of the two middle parts. The two middle parts 2 are spaced apart from each other by an intermediate part 9. At the sides, there are provided side parts 5 and 6, which are of the same design as in the preceding exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 2, the same washing tub configurations are shown as in FIG. 1, but in a schematic front view.

In FIG. 2, left side part 5 of washing tub 1 a includes a water inlet 12, a salt container 13, and a resin container 14. Middle part 2 includes a schematically shown control system 15 and a dispensing device 16. Right side part 6 includes a drying system 17. These functional elements are also present in the wider dishwasher models according to FIGS. 1 b and c.

In the case of washing tub 1 b, the two intermediate elements 8 are inserted between middle part 2 and side walls 5 and 6, respectively. Intermediate parts 8 do not have any functional elements and are only used to increase the width of the mold. Therefore, the wall sections produced there are smooth and not intended for attachment of any functional elements.

In the case of washing tub 1 c, the mold is shown in its widest version, in which two middle parts 2, 2′ are provided, a first middle part 2 including a control system 15 and a dispensing device 16. Second middle part 2′ is formed in the region of axis 3 as the other middle part 2, but lacks a control system and a dispensing device, because only one of these functional elements is needed for each washing tub, respectively. In this respect, middle part 2′ is a kind of second intermediate element in accordance with the present application. Moreover, side parts 5 and 6 are of the same design as in the preceding embodiments.

Thus, the present invention provides components which make it possible to manufacture dishwashers of different widths in a simple manner. The individual parts may be designed as plastic or stainless steel parts which are joined by welding, gluing or crimping. It is also possible to conceive of other ways to manufacture the individual parts.

Middle part 2 may be joined to side parts 5 and 6, and/or to intermediate parts 8, by mechanical coupling means, for example, by using screw connections, clamping connections, or other fastening means.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein; reference should be had to the appended claims. 

1. A method for making a dishwasher, the method comprising: providing a wash chamber receivable in a housing and including a left side part capable of having a first functional component disposed thereon, a right side part capable of having second functional component disposed thereon, and a first middle part disposed between the left and right side parts and capable of having a spray device disposed thereon; and disposing at least one intermediate part between the first middle part and at least one of the left and right side parts so as to provide a dishwasher having a desired width.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the dishwasher has a drawer-type construction.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second functional components include at least one of a water inlet, an appliance control system, and a water softening system.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the providing a wash chamber is performed so as to provide only one first middle part so as to provide the dishwasher with a relatively small desired width.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least intermediate part includes a first and a second intermediate part, and wherein the disposing is performed so as to dispose the first intermediate part between the middle part and the left side part and the second intermediate part between the middle part and the right side part.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the wash chamber includes a second middle part disposed thereon, and wherein the disposing is performed so as to dispose the first middle part between the at least one intermediate part and the left side part and the second middle part between the at least one intermediate part and the right side part.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the middle part, left side part, right side part, and at least one intermediate part have a same depth.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one middle part includes a wall element capable of having a third functional component disposed thereon, the third functional component including at least one of a spray arm support, a sump, a screen, a dispensing device and a control system.
 9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the wash chamber includes a respective pull-out guide assembly runner disposed at each of the first and second side parts.
 10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second functional components include at least one of a water outlet, a power supply and a drying system for the washing chamber.
 11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second functional components include at least one of a salt container and a resin container.
 12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the middle part, left side part, right side part, and at least one intermediate part include at least one of a plastic material and stainless steel. 